Today, no one doubts the reality of the existence of secret societies. But why do they exist? What goals do they pursue? What role do they play in the life of humanity? And by what signs can we judge their presence? The author of the book offers his original interpretation of the role of secret societies in history, considering them as a kind of ‘locomotives’, provocateurs of social change and at the same time as a necessary condition for maintaining continuity in development. After reading the book, you will become familiar with the ‘anatomy’ of secret societies, learn about the place esotericism and magic occupy in their activities, what social utopias and dystopias they generate, what mysteries and rituals accompany the change of power they provoke.